WeeklySA_AdminKEEP IT DOWN
There could be more relief at the pumps for motorists next month. The Automobile Association says fuel prices are likely to decrease for the fourth consecutive month. This is according to unaudited data from the Central Energy Fund.
95 ULP is set to drop by around 94 cents per litre, and 93ULP by around 86c per litre. The wholesale price of diesel is expected to decrease by around 76c per litre, while the cost of illuminating paraffin will drop by almost R1.01c per litre. The AA says the price decreases are likely due to stronger Rand/Dollar exchange rate and lower oil prices.
VW ID. BUZZ SURPRISE MOVE
Volkswagen’s Commercial Vehicle division provided the biggest surprise of the Kyalami Festival of Motoring by showing the production variant of the all-electric ID. Buzz at the event’s opening on Thursday, 29 August.
Unveiled in long wheelbase guise that premiered globally last year, the two-tone Bay Leaf Green and Candy White left-hand-drive example, for now, rates as a case study despite Wolfsburg admitting it wants to make it available in South Africa before the end of the decade. Brought in from Germany especially for the Festival of Motoring, the long wheelbase ID. Buzz measures 4 966 mm long, 1 938 mm tall and 1 985 mm wide with its wheelbase stretching 3 239 mm.
Indirectly present in South Africa by way of a trial partnership with DHL using three standard wheelbase ID. Buzz Cargo vans, the passenger ID. Buzz, as mentioned, remains a no-no for South Africa.-The Citizen
MERC G63 GRAND EDITION
The limited-run Mercedes-Benz G63 Grand Edition has been confirmed for South Africa. Here’s pricing, specifications and how many we’re getting. Let’s get the bad news out of the way first. There will be just 20 Mercedes-Benz G63 Grand Edition units for South Africa, from a global production run of 1 000.
As a reminder, the G63 is powered by AMG’s 4.0-litre biturbo petrol V8 engine and that makes a commendable 430 kW and 850 Nm. Power goes to all four wheels via an automatic gearbox, and AMG claims a 0-100 in 4.5 seconds.
So, what makes this special edition command a R1 million premium over the standard G63? Let’s start with the exterior paint, its the Manufaktur night black magno and there’s extensive gold detailing.
The seats are finished in G Manufaktur black nappa with gold stitching and gold AMG logo. As mentioned, there’ll be just 20 units confirmed for our market. Priced from R5 474 512, the Grand Edition is just over a million Rand more than the standard car. Included in the price is a 2-year/unlimited kilometre warranty and 5-year/100 000 km maintenance plan. The price also includes a custom AMG car cover.
MAHINDRA SA MILESTONE
Mahindra South Africa recently celebrated a major milestone with a special ceremony at its vehicle assembly facility in Durban. The ceremony was attended by dignitaries from South Africa and India, the leadership and management team of Mahindra South Africa as well as staff from the group’s South African head office and from the assembly facility itself. The staff have just delivered its 20 000th South African assembled Mahindra Pik Up.
The attendees included the High Commissioner of India to South Africa, the Honourable Shri Prabhat Kumar, the Consul General of India in Durban, Dr Thelma David, Rajesh Gupta, the CEO of Mahindra South Africa and Corrie Kotze, the CEO of AIH Group, Mahindra’s production partner. The 20 000th milestone follows six years after Mahindra opened its assembly facility on 25 May 2018. In these early days, Mahindra set a goal of producing 2 500 Pik Up models a year. It has since exceeded that goal by a factor of four.
At the celebrations, a special Pik Up S6 4×4 shared the stage with dignitaries. This is the 20 000th model to be produced in the South African plant.
